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Roadside Vegetative Management Project

This research focuses on all aspects of roadside vegetation management, using an Integrated Vegetation Management approach. The aim is to preserve as much desirable vegetation as possible while minimizing undesirable vegetation and maintaining a desirable aesthetic, within the confines of limited resources.

The Penn State Vegetation Management Project was initiated in 1985
to assist the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Bureau of Maintenance
and Operations in the ongoing development of its roadside vegetation management
program. The original focus was on the evaluation of materials and methods for
selective brush control, Canada thistle management in crownvetch, and growth
regulation of roadside tall fescue turf; and to serve as an unbiased information
source for the evaluation of emerging vegetation management technologies.

Through continued funding from PennDOT, the project focus expanded
to include all aspects of roadside vegetation management, using an Integrated
Pest Management, or more specifically, Integrated Vegetation Management
approach. The aim is to preserve as much desirable vegetation as possible while
minimizing undesirable vegetation and maintaining a desirable aesthetic, within
the confines of limited resources. Examples of some of the ongoing research and
demonstrations include management of specific weed species such as
tree-of-heaven, Japanese knotweed, and Canada thistle; evaluation of alternative
plant materials for roadside conservation plantings such as native warm-season
grasses and forbs; and evaluations of corridor management approaches, equipment,
and herbicides.

We have further expanded our efforts through funding from product
manufacturers, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. We strive to be a resource for all land managers in
Pennsylvania, and the Northeastern U.S. We are one of the few Land Grant-based
groups with applied vegetation management expertise in this region.